Friday, December 10, 2010

Ladybug’s Journey…

IMG_3281We have a bit going on medically with our little Ladybug and know that some of you have been loving her from afar since she was born!  We also know many of you are prayer warriors and will lift her up for us, so we decided to share her journey here on her blog as it unfolds. 

A bit of her back story to bring you up to speed…

At her 15 month appointment her physical development came into question since she wasn’t yet walking.  I wasn’t concerned at all since Pac Man didn’t walk until 15 1/2 months.  Time passed and she began starting to actually walk around 17 1/2 months and progressed for a few weeks.  IMG_9979She was never a solid walker but could make it a good ways on her own.  We even have several videos of her walking on her own!

Then, a few weeks later, she just stopped walking.  She refused to walk at all and even cried when we tried to encourage her.  She only walks on her knees, and uses that as her main mode of transportation now.IMG_3339It was then that my instincts told me there was something going on. 

We had her regular check-up at the pediatrician on 11/9/10 {almost 19 months}.  Our thoughts were confirmed and there is great concern that she is experiencing something that is affecting her physically.  She will barely even put her feet down and 99% of the time will not even attempt to walk now if we try to motivate her. She will stand up holding onto something and pull to standing, but just won’t walk and doesn’t even pull up as often as she used to.

We then saw a neurologist, and were very thankful for her pediatrician pulling strings to get us an appointment ASAP in a department that usually takes several weeks to get in.

The neurologist referred her to an orthopaedist to rule anything physical {broken bones, infection} out and we saw him within days and he ruled everything out within 15 minutes.  We were back to neurology and proceeding with scheduling an MRI.

Her first MRI was scheduled for 12/1/10 but she was coughing and had a runny nose so they had to cancel it.  Her second MRI was scheduled for 12/9/10 and that one happened.

It was a long day, as we expected it would be.  They took images of her brain and spine so she had to be sedated via IV for over 2 hours.  We are blessed to live near one of the best children's hospitals in the country, and they were wonderful.

She spent much of her waiting, crying and watching TV, she doesn’t like medical situations and can smell them a mile away! 

IMG_6661-2

She was given a liquid sedative that made her very loopy and it was actually quite funny!  Then they put the IV in and she was a trooper for that.  She was very interested in the contraption on her hand and was a bit ticked off that she couldn’t suck that thumb {thankfully she sucks both}.IMG_6683-2

She came out of the MRI about 2 hours later and was very irritable once she finally woke up.  We went home within 30 minutes of her waking up and she slept all night peacefully.

Our AMAZING pediatrician has been on top of things from the beginning and has been calling us at home to support us through this process, we are SO blessed.  She called us at home the night of the MRI to tell us the initial findings.  We were VERY thankful to hear it wasn’t the worst we knew it could be-a tumor, cancer, or a major spinal problem.  They did however, find something in her brain, and we are waiting on the call from the neurologist to give us the details.   I will share that once we have them, he is supposed to call soon.

I will be keeping this blog updated for anyone who wants to follow her journey and pray for her as we walk this road. I also know that there may be someone out there struggling with the same things and I know our story could be used by God to encourage someone out there.  We share because it is God’s story.

Ladybug is a true joy in so many ways, such a blessing to our family.  I know many of you feel close to her by sharing in her life through Tot School.  Thank you for loving her from afar.

IMG_3280 She is signing “Thank You”

~I am tagging these posts “Ladybug’s Journey” so if you ever want to read all of them, just click on that tag and it will pull up all of her medical posts.

46 comments:

LadySnow said...

We will be praying for Little Ladybug. She is such a cutie <3 I pray that the doctor's can figure out what is going on with your sweetie and that God will give your family comfort and strength during this time.

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing!!! You know I'm awake at night nursing Naomi -- so I will be praying!

Stacy said...

I will be praying for Ladybug. May God also be with you, your husband, and boys through this.

Rachelle said...

Auw, sending TONS of prayers you way. I hope she is all ok, and we will be here to support you through the journey.
Prayers!

MamaDuck76 said...

Thank you for sharing. I know it had to be difficult to write this post.

It has been fun watching "from afar" as Ladybug grows up. She's only a few months older than my second child, so it's fun to see what she's up to with Tot School!

We will be praying that God gives you peace as you wait on final results, and that he watches over His litte Ladybug and helps her through whatever challenge she's facing.

The Partains said...

I will be praying! Love when you say you share because it's God's story, indeed it is. You are an inspiration, thank you! Praying for you all and that they get back to you shortly.

Kellie said...

Oh Carisa! I will definitely be praying for ladybug!!! I know I have become very quiet in tot school...I still love to read all your posts and all the tot school posts...just don't have the time to make my own posts. But I do still follow your blogs and do anticipate each post...especially keeping up with Ladybug! Seeing that she is only 3 days older than my Alyssa I feel a sort of bond with her :-)

Yall will definitely be in my prayers! God is the great healer and He has Alyssa safely in His hands!!

Stays strong and hang in there!

God bless!
Kellie

nsees said...

Thank you for sharing! Sending many T & Ps for your family and Ladybug!

Kelly said...

Praying!!

Jen said...

Praying for your sweet girl and your family!

Jolanthe said...

you know we are praying here. :)

ohAmanda said...

Thank you so much for sharing! It's helpful (I think) to share the load w/others...even those you don't know. Nothing is impossible for God. Praying for you and your sweet Ladybug!

Angela said...

Thank you so much for sharing! My prayers are with your family and for little Ladybug's quick healing! She is such a doll!

RockerMom said...

Just said a prayer and will keep on praying for Ladybug and your family!

Kim B. said...

I'll be lifting her up!

Sam said...

Prayers. MRI's are the worst. Our 5th had a tethered spinal cord. He had an MRI, and spinal surgery. It was very scary, but God pulled us all through. He is 4 1/2 now, his little scar really itches him. We are very blessed.

Mama to 5 said...

Hugs mama! I will keep Ladybug & yoru family in my prayers. I feel for you - my baby girl is just a few days younger than Ladybug. Please keep us posted as we await on God at work.
♥ Nicole

Anonymous said...

We are standing with you.

Theprincessandthetot said...

Thank you for having the courage to share this God story. I will be daily lifting sweet Ladybug up in prayer, as well as you and the rest of your family. Princess had a seizure this past summer out of nowhere, and I know the plethora of emotions that medical issues in our children can bring. May God be glorified through this journey and may you feel the comfort of His protection and love. He is the great healer and physician. Praying now...

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing! We will be praying for your whole family! Your such a blessing to us!

johanna said...

lot of love and prayers for ladybug
xxxx

twinkietotmom said...

I will be praying for you & ladybug! Both of my girls have had to see a neurologist for being born 11 weeks premature. One was of more concern to see the neurologist because she is (or was) behind on her developmental milestones and it was so nerve-racking waiting for the news.

Thank you for sharing this journey, because like you said, God works through all of his children and right now he's working through her. It's hard to know why things have to happen sometimes, but there is a bigger picture that we know not of.

Ladybug looks like such a trooper in all of these pictures!

Unknown said...

We will be praying for her and your family. I will also add you to your prayer book at church!

Carisa said...

Samantha ~ Tethered Cord was one of the main things they were looking for in the MRI but it ended up not being that. That and a brain tumor were the main suspects in the beginning. Now we are back to the waiting and ruling out phase.

THANK YOU everyone for your support and prayers-wow!!!

Anonymous said...

I am praying for little Ladybug here in Indiana. I will also be praying for you and the rest of the family. The Lord is near to all who call on Him!

Amanda said...

Will definitely keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers!!

Angela said...

Praying. Thank you for sharing.

Sara said...

God breathe your healing and peace on lovely ladybug.

Our little man is on a similar adventure. Praying for you all.
Love your blog. It has changed my homeschool life!~

Mrs. Whary said...

Our family are praying for yours! Praying you get answers quickly.......Ladybug is simply ADORABLE and I know God has an amazing story to tell through her experience......thanks for sharing your family's journey....it is cool to know that there are people all over lifting her up before the Father in prayer :-)

Leslie said...

Oh, I will be praying for her and your whole family! We know what you are going through. My daughter has had some issues recently and we had to go to a neurologist. She had an EEG and there were some abnormal readings. She will probably need an MRI very soon. It is so scary but I know God will take care of her. We just have to keep our eyes on Him!

Heather S. said...

Praying for you! Thank you for being such a great example of faith to all of us in "blogland."

Mozer said...

Praying for your family, Little Ladybug, and the doctors. May the peace of God guard your heart and your mind as you wait for answers. ((HUGS)) to you Carisa!

Gidget Girl Reading said...

thanks for sharing and so glad the worst outcome came back negative and that it wasn't cancer or a tumor. I will be checking back for further updates.

just recently my youngest has had a hard time fighting an infection and we did leukemia test and diabetes and a whole ray of other test. So I understand all the panic, prayers and relief you felt when you got great results (we did too). Ladybug will stay in my prayers and thoughts.

Hugs to you, and Ladybug and you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers

Kristen said...

Prayers for you and lil ladybug, and wisdom for the doctors to figure out what is wrong and the best way to procede to treat her. She is such an angel! You have been such an encouragement to me with tot school and I have learned a lot as I model my own little school after yours. Thanks for your hard work. Hugs to you and your family.

Joy said...

Thanks for sharing your story. I enjoy reading about Ladybug through tot school and get so many wonderful ideas as my son is Ladybug's age (DOB 4/8/09). Ladybug and your whole family will be in our prayers. Know you are thought about and loved from all over the country.
Joy (Los Angeles, CA)
joympieri@yahoo.com

Jenny said...

Crying. Praying.

Anonymous said...

I'll be praying for you and your family as you are on this journey. Thanks for sharing so others can lift you up in prayer.

Sue Hills

Emily said...

Praying right now for her!

AJ Simon said...

We are praying for LadyBug and your entire family. My heart goes out to you. You have blessed our family with your love and creativity. Thank you so much for sharing.

Unknown said...

Carisa,
I will be praying for your sweet little Ladybug and your family as you get the answers you need. Take care and God bless you all!
Laura

Tara McClenahan said...

Little Man and I will add her to our prayer book. Big hugs to you!

Tara

Laura said...

Yes, we will pray, Carisa. May this experience unveil a strength and dignity placed in LadyBug by her Heavenly Father. May she- and you - have endurance and peace. And may she be entirely, entirely healed and whole.

Karen said...

I have only just found your blogs while looking for activities for my 2 yr. old grand daughter but have come to learn of the love and faith that your family shares. While this is a difficult journey in your family we know that Ladybug is in God's hands and that He is watching over her. My prays and the prayers of many will be with you during this time.

Anonymous said...

Cast your cares on the Lord for He cares for you! We are praying in TX for your family:-)

Cathy

Sarah Haney, M.A. said...

I will be praying for Little Ladybug and your family. I really hope it is nothing serious.

Unknown said...

Praying for you and your little lady bug! Thank you for being courageous and sharing with us.